The Twins' bullpen is shaping up to be one of the more intriguing puzzles of the spring. With a mix of established names and emerging talents, Minnesota is keeping its options open as it heads toward Opening Day.
Leading the pack are relievers Cole Sands, Justin Topa, Anthony Banda, and Taylor Rogers, who are all but assured spots on the roster. Eric Orze is also a strong contender, though his minor-league option gives the Twins some flexibility if they decide to start him in Triple-A. Other arms in the mix include Julian Merryweather, David Festa, Liam Hendriks, Andrew Chafin, Matt Bowman, Andrew Bash, and Dan Altavilla.
One name flying under the radar, but worth keeping an eye on, is right-hander John Klein. Despite not being the focal point of many discussions, Klein is quietly making a case for himself. MLB.com's Matthew Leach even tagged him as a dark horse candidate for the Opening Day roster.
Klein's journey is as compelling as it is promising. The 24-year-old, who hails from the Twin Cities, went undrafted in 2022 after his time at Iowa Central Community College. The Twins saw potential and brought him on board with a minor-league deal in August of that year.
Klein's minor league track record is a testament to his resilience and talent. After a brief stint in rookie ball, he shone in Low-A Fort Myers with a 2.97 ERA over 30 1/3 innings.
His 2024 season with High-A Cedar Rapids saw him post a 4.57 ERA, striking out 90 over 100 1/3 innings. Moving up to Double-A Wichita in 2025, Klein delivered a solid 3.12 ERA across 80 2/3 innings, fanning 95 batters.
Though his Triple-A stint with St. Paul was rocky, with a 6.66 ERA, Klein's ability to bounce back and refine his craft is notable. His recent performance against the Minnesota Golden Gophers showcased his potential, as he threw a scoreless inning, clocking his fastball at 96 mph and mixing in a low-90s cutter and low-80s curveball.
While Klein might not make the Opening Day roster, a strong spring training could change that narrative. His rapid progression through the minors and his hometown roots make him a player to root for. Even if he starts the season elsewhere, don’t be surprised to see him making an impact in the majors before long.